Mirror Edge

[Roverrich]

So I've been very happy with my Sharpsmaker and Knifes Plus strop, both of which I picked up based on the comments of the forum members-- thanks guys! But, I got to thinking, how do I get a 'mirror' finish on the edge of a blade after sharpening? Some of the pics posted on the forum show an insanely reflective edge-- how you do dat? :confused: Is there a polish or special technique that you guys suggest? Also are there certain types of steel which are more likely to produce a highly reflective surface? Thanks in advance!

[Evil D]

Most of those guys probably use an Edge Pro. If you're really good you can probably get there with a Sharpmaker and various strops and compounds.

[rg02]

If you have the Sharpmaker med,fine, and ultra fine stones you can get a darn good mirrored back bevel. I use the SM med,fine, and UF stones on the 30 deg back bevel and do the same for the 40 micro bevel and finish with a few strokes on my strop block loaded with the green compound. Pics:




Of course, I wish I had the $$$ for an edge pro because I have seen crazy mirrored bevels done on it :D

The SM is the best setup for the $ though IMO.

[Lord vader]

The one thing I have noticed, is that a polished edge seems to hold it`s sharp edge A little longer than one that is not polished.It`s definitely a plus for the extra effort.

[Evil D]

The one thing I have noticed, is that a polished edge seems to hold it`s sharp edge A little longer than one that is not polished.It`s definitely a plus for the extra effort.

The more the edge is polished, the smaller those micro teeth of the edge get, which means there's less to fold over or chip when you use the knife. Then again, a polished edge loses a lot of bite when cutting certain things...like slicing a tomato..a polished edge can slide on the skin before it bites in whereas a slightly toothy edge with zip right through it.

[Lord vader]

The more the edge is polished, the smaller those micro teeth of the edge get, which means there's less to fold over or chip when you use the knife. Then again, a polished edge loses a lot of bite when cutting certain things...like slicing a tomato..a polished edge can slide on the skin before it bites in whereas a slightly toothy edge with zip right through it.

Thats very true,I tried to cut a tomato with a polished edge,and it did not work too well,I switched to a more toothy edge and went right through it.But you definitely get a good shave with a polished edge.

[razorsharp]

bleh, would upload a picture but keeps saying 'invalid URL"

[Jet B]

I have a Wicked Edge sharpener and it's the last phase of stropping that puts the mirror polish on my bevels. They are leather strops that you put a diamond paste into.

[Slash]

By hand using spyderco uf benchstone as last step before kp strop...lots of stokes=high mirror edge.

[hunterseeker5]

There is one thing I'd like to note about mirror edges: they look much better in pictures than in person. You see in the picture you just see the gorgeous image reflected. In person you look at it and if you turn it you can get it to catch the light just right and reveal any and all microscratches still left in the bevel. Also if you end polishing on something other than diamond in a high carbide volume knife your bevel will look "hazy." Either way as soon as you cut something it gets scratched up. :P Bottom line? Sharpen for what works for you. Mirror bevels are just about being showy. :)

[maa14]

If you have the Sharpmaker med,fine, and ultra fine stones you can get a darn good mirrored back bevel. I use the SM med,fine, and UF stones on the 30 deg back bevel and do the same for the 40 micro bevel and finish with a few strokes on my strop block loaded with the green compound.

Of course, I wish I had the $$$ for an edge pro because I have seen crazy mirrored bevels done on it :D

The SM is the best setup for the $ though IMO.

I do the same thing he^ does, works great!! I also wish I had an edge pro but.. $$$$....

[Roverrich]

Thanks guys! Let me ask one more question, with the Knifes plus strop, do you add a compound on top of the already green leather?

[jacobwilson99]

Thanks guys! Let me ask one more question, with the Knifes plus strop, do you add a compound on top of the already green leather?

No, just use it as it is. Every year or so clean it with oil, and clean compound will surface, and the steel will leave. I'd recommend the Stropman's strops though. AMAZING cs and quality products. Worth it to me.

[mikerestivo]

Thanks guys! Let me ask one more question, with the Knifes plus strop, do you add a compound on top of the already green leather?

I think that green surface is actually the compound on top of the leather.

[Jet B]

The thing about stropping that I have found is that the edge holds much longer for me. Removing that micro-burr really seems to give the edge longevity. The mirror finish is just a nice side effect.

[Evil D]

There is one thing I'd like to note about mirror edges: they look much better in pictures than in person. You see in the picture you just see the gorgeous image reflected. In person you look at it and if you turn it you can get it to catch the light just right and reveal any and all microscratches still left in the bevel. Also if you end polishing on something other than diamond in a high carbide volume knife your bevel will look "hazy." Either way as soon as you cut something it gets scratched up. :P Bottom line? Sharpen for what works for you. Mirror bevels are just about being showy. :)

Well, they do look better in pics that's for sure, but the kitchen knife i just did is literally like a mirror, you can turn it in any light you want and you won't see any scratches.


Whether or not it's for showing off is debatable because it does improve edge geometry and edge retention, so it does have a practical purpose. That said, you don't get any cutting performance from polishing out the entire bevel, just the very edge. You can leave the entire bevel as rough as you like and just polish out the very edge and get the same results. The point is just having the very edge as fine toothed as possible and then you'll get the benefits.

[Ankerson]

The one thing I have noticed, is that a polished edge seems to hold it`s sharp edge A little longer than one that is not polished.It`s definitely a plus for the extra effort.

Not really from my testing of a lot of different steels, a coarser edge will hold that edge a lot longer, usually around 50% or more depending on the steel and edge finishes.

The lower alloy steels die quickly (Lose Bite) with a polished edge compared to a coarser edge from my testing.

Percentages get closer as the Carbide content increases (Alloy Content), but there is still a noticeable measurable difference.

Polished edges are better for push cutting like in razor blades, but if making draw cuts then a coarser edge will always work better.

But that's not to say that one can't push cut with a coarse edge.

Polished edges tend to slide or not bite when making draw cuts depending on the material being cut so one really should tailor their edge finishes to what the knife use will be for best performance.

[Niles]

Whether or not it's for showing off is debatable because it does improve edge geometry and edge retention, so it does have a practical purpose. That said, you don't get any cutting performance from polishing out the entire bevel, just the very edge. You can leave the entire bevel as rough as you like and just polish out the very edge and get the same results. The point is just having the very edge as fine toothed as possible and then you'll get the benefits.

I don't know...Just speaking of the bevel I think there is benefit to a mirror polish. As far as initiating the cut goes, the back bevel is not the factor, but once the cut is initiated a mirror polish will have less drag and split material more easily. Whether the difference is noticeable only in my mind or not, I don't know, but it sure feels like it cuts better.

You might agree with this point, since you may have just been talking about initiating the cut, but I figured I'd throw in my $.02.

As far as which edge is better, polished or not, I agree with Ankerson.

[Ankerson]

I don't know...Just speaking of the bevel I think there is benefit to a mirror polish. As far as initiating the cut goes, the back bevel is not the factor, but once the cut is initiated a mirror polish will have less drag and split material more easily. Whether the difference is noticeable only in my mind or not, I don't know, but it sure feels like it cuts better.

You might agree with this point, since you may have just been talking about initiating the cut, but I figured I'd throw in my $.02.

As far as which edge is better, polished or not, I agree with Ankerson.

From the results that I have seen something around 14-16 Microns will usually be optimal for cutting efficiency and edge retention, that's semi polished.

[jackknifeh]

So I've been very happy with my Sharpsmaker and Knifes Plus strop, both of which I picked up based on the comments of the forum members-- thanks guys! But, I got to thinking, how do I get a 'mirror' finish on the edge of a blade after sharpening? Some of the pics posted on the forum show an insanely reflective edge-- how you do dat? :confused: Is there a polish or special technique that you guys suggest? Also are there certain types of steel which are more likely to produce a highly reflective surface? Thanks in advance!

I get mirror polished edges that you can see the reflection of print on a page like the pictures here. But I can also see the reflection of the ceiling fan above my head. Then I go outside and can see the reflection of the tree branches above my head. They are in perfect focus. I only mention the reflection of far away items because that takes a very flat bevel. You can get that with a Sharpmaker and some practice. You still need to maintain a consistant vertical blade throughout the strokes. I have an Edge Pro sharpener and I'm the first to admit, that is cheating. After the UF stone the strop you have you should have a very nicely polished edge. The key is to remove all the scratch pattern from the med. stone with the fine. Then remove the scratches with the UF stone. NOW, the strop is really where I see the reflective quality. Have you ever sat watching TV and open/close a new knife? Use that time for stropping. Make sure you don't put too much pressure on the very edge. That will tend to roll the edge a little. One thing I do a lot is if I want a mirror edge on a knife that is already sharp I concentrate on the mirror first, then worry about the razor edge. If you use a 30 degree back bevel and polish it then use a 40 degree edge bevel or micro-bevel you can always touch up the knife without scratching the mirror polish. Nothing worse than one lonley scratch on an otherwise beautiful mirror edge.

Jack